After the Christmas break, Crystal Park may have been bitterly cold — but the football on show from Waterford Crystal was anything but, as the lads returned to league action with a performance full of energy, resilience and real quality.

The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides feeling their way back into competitive action. But after 8 minutes Crystal suddenly clicked into gear. Tom Hayes unlocked the Abbeyside defence with a superb defence-splitting pass and Fawwaz raced through before coolly slotting the ball into the corner to make it 1–0. A perfect restart to the season.

Abbeyside didn’t fold. Instead, they came roaring back and Crystal needed Ben Cunningham at his brilliant best — producing a stunning save after 13 minutes to preserve the lead. Moments later Abbeyside struck back, a free-kick somehow sneaking its way through the bodies and into the net to level the game at 1–1.

Rather than panic, Crystal regrouped. Chances began to flow, the pressure building with every attack. At the back, the defensive wall of Noah, Michelle and Robbie stood firm, timing tackles, blocking shots and keeping Crystal calm when the tempo rose.

Just before the break came the breakthrough the hosts deserved. Up stepped Jake Murphy over a free-kick — and he made no mistake, drilling the ball past the keeper to send Crystal in 2–1 up at half-time.